AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I put his brother in the hospital the other night.” I give him a look and can tell he’s waiting for more intel. “He’s been harassing Sukie and her mom, vandalizing their home by breaking windows and paintingmurdereron the side of their house.”
Salem eyes me for a second, takes a deep breath, and runs his fingers through his hair. Our alertness heightens at the distant sound of sirens.
“Looks like we’re about to have company. Juneau, tell the others to get everyone the fuck out of here and close it down.’
The first squad vehicle arrives, and Sheriff Huxley steps out. His eyes immediately go to the dead Jones brother, still holding the knife in his cold hand. “Fucking hell.” His head whips up, and he glances between me and Salem. “Who pulled the trigger?”
“I did.”
“And I’m to assume, judging by the weapon in his hand, you’re claiming self-defense?”
“Yep.”
Sheriff Huxley looks at Salem. “Shut this shit down and send those girls home.”
“Careful barkin’ orders, Huxley,” Salem snarls. The two exchange heated stares before Huxley looks back at me.
“I got to take you to the station and ask some questions. Are you going to give me problems?”
“Nope.”
As I head toward Huxley’s SUV, Salem shouts, “I’ll call Tess and have her meet you at the station! Don’t open your fuckin’ mouth until she gets there and says so.”
I’m sitting in a small blank room, across the steel table from Huxley and one of his detectives, when the door to the interrogation room swings open, and Tess walks in. She’s tall, with long red hair that cascades down her back. Tess has represented us on many occasions.
“Gentlemen,” she says, her voice smooth and confident as her six-inch heels tap against the hard floor. “I’m sure we all would rather be home, given it’s midnight. So let’s not play games, shall we?”
Huxley and the detectives exchange a glance.
“Of course, Ms. Christensen,” Huxley says, gesturing for her to sit. “We’re just trying to get to the bottom of what happened tonight.”
“Understood,” Tess replies, sitting beside me. “Before we begin, I want to remind you that my client has the right to defend himself if he feels his life is in danger.”
The detective nods, and the questioning begins.
Tess and I sit quietly and listen carefully to each question, ensuring the detective doesn’t cross any lines or try to trap me in any way with their line of questioning. I glance at Huxley. I’m not worried about the sheriff. Huxley and the club have an understanding. All this is just for show to keep others off his back and ours.
Tess leans forward. “My client was defending himself against an attacker, wielding a knife, with the intent to kill him,” she states firmly. “He had every right to use deadly force to protect himself.”
The detective pushes back. “There’s a huge difference between a knife and a gun, Ms. Christensen. Your client—”
Tess throws her hand up, cutting the detective off. “The law is clear, Detective Stone. My client’s actions tonight are justified; so unless you have evidence that speaks against my client’s statement and those who witnessed tonight’s events, I believe we are done here.” Tess is a force to be reckoned with.
A minute of silence ticks by before Detective Stone yields. “I’m hauling his ass back here should any new evidence make its way to my desk.” The detective’s eyes land on me, his hardened gaze evoking the reaction he wants from me. The muscle in his jaw ticks.
Tess stands, and I rise with her and exit the room. As we leave the police station, I turn to Tess. “Thanks.”
Tess tosses her purse over her shoulder. “Try not to bring attention to yourself or the club until this thing blows over.” She walks to her car, stopping with her hand on the driver’s door. “Well, what are you waiting for? Get in, and I’ll give you a ride back to the club.” She opens the door and sinks into the seat. I stroll over and stuff my big ass into the tiny bucket seat of her small sports car.
Tess puts the car in gear, glances at me, then backs out, leaving the station. “You did all of this for Sukie, huh?”
I stare out the windshield, unwilling to discuss anything Sukie related.
“She and her mom don’t deserve the hell they go through, you know.”
“I know,” I mutter, wishing she would drop the subject and leave already.
Tess adds, “You’re a good man, Harlem.” She shifts the car into drive. “A man willing to put it all on the line for a woman he cares about will always have my respect.”
